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Pucillo stepping down from council; Coniglio, Moore seek re-election

At least one big change is coming to Palm Beach’s town government: Council President Michael Pucillo announced Friday that he will not seek a fourth term on the council.

In a statement, Pucillo said he and his wife, retired Palm Beach County Judge Deborah Pucillo, want to be free to travel and spend more time with their three grandchildren.

Also Friday, Mayor Gail Coniglio and Councilwoman Danielle “Dani” Hickox Moore filed qualifying papers for their respective positions. Planning & Zoning Commission Chairman Martin Klein announced he’s seeking the Group 1 seat held by Pucillo but as of Friday, Klein had not filed.

Coniglio, whose family operates restaurants in Palm Beach and E.R. Bradley’s in West Palm Beach, is seeking a fourth term as mayor. She served four years on the council before becoming mayor in 2011.

Moore, president of the Mary Alice Fortin Family Foundation, is seeking a second term on the Town Council.

Coniglio and Moore filed with the Town Clerk’s office on Friday.

Klein said in a statement Friday that Pucillo has “set the bar for civility and dedication.”

“And it is my hope to continue this effort and to insure that every resident, no matter what their point of view, is welcomed graciously at Town Hall, and has their views fully and fairly aired,” Klein wrote.

Michael Pucillo

Pucillo, a real estate and securities attorney, joined the council in 2011 and his peers elected him president the last two years.

He headed a committee that advocated adoption of redevelopment rules for the Royal Poinciana Way commercial district. On a 3-1 vote in November 2013, the council approved the regulations but residents rejected them by voter referendum in March 2014.

Pucillo was also a key voice in support of a plan to bury all power, cable television and telephone lines in town within a six- to 10-year span. In March, voters narrowly approved by referendum bonds of up to $90 million to pay for the project.

Pucillo said he’s proud of being part of the effort to make public safety pensions more competitive after sharp cuts enacted in 2009.

He lists beach renourishment, a decrease in the town’s property tax rate, and “thoughtful zoning changes” that will help “preserve the character of the Sea streets” as other accomplishments he’s contributed to during his two years as council president.

Mayor Gail Coniglio said it has been a privilege to work with Pucillo.

“He’s certainly been thoughtful, intelligent and has added a legal expertise that will be sorely missed,” Coniglio said. “He offered great leadership and looked for consensus on the dais and in the community.”

Mayor Gail Coniglio

Coniglio said Friday she would be honored to serve the town again.

Referring to the construction of a new Southern Boulevard Bridge, Coniglio said she has “another bridge to bring home” as crews work to complete the new Flagler Memorial Bridge for a February opening. She called on Gov. Rick Scott in 2014 when the town faced the possibility of having the old, damaged north bridge closed completely to road traffic for the duration of a replacement bridge. The state paid for a $9 million repair that prevented that scenario, though the bridge did close for six months in 2014 while a structural brace was built. And, she’s continued to push the project team to finish the bridge as soon as possible.

Coniglio said the council’s approval of renourishment projects for Midtown Beach and Reach 7 in the South End are “absolutely accomplishments and successes” for the town. And, she said she wants to continue to monitor the town’s budget to keep expenses as low as possible.

“I will continue to do as I have in the past, which is work with the local municipalities and state and federal agencies to achieve the greatest partnerships that benefit the entire town,” Coniglio said.

Danielle Moore

Moore said Friday the current council is successful because its members listen to residents’ concerns and are willing to collaborate. That’s been helpful, particularly in getting beach restoration projects going and lowering the millage rate, she said.

Aided by shoreline experts, town staff, its advisory board and residents’ input, the town has revised its beach renourishment projects to adapt to changing needs, costs, permitting time lines and budget considerations, Moore said.

That flexibility will be helpful as the town rolls out the undergrounding of utility lines, she said.

“I think we’ve come a long way. Some of the (police and fire-rescue) pension reforms are really important to maintaining the quality of life and public safety of our town,” Moore said.

Moore said supporting a lower millage rate and better benefits for public safety workers after “draconian” cuts enacted in 2009 are two accomplishments she’s proud of. ”But there’s always more work to do.”

Council members can disagree, sometime vehemently with one another, but they all speak to one another with respect. That type of civility should be widespread, she said.

“ ‘Oh I won’t speak to them because they are a Republican or they are a Democrat’ or they like so and so.’ Well, that’s not the way we live in one community. We disagree and we all go out and have a glass of wine,” Moore said.

Moore said she welcomes competition for her Group 2 council seat.

“When I first ran, there were a lot of people who voted who never voted before,” Moore said. “I think they are happy. We’ll see.”

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